Supporting new, sustainable business is an essential part of Luke’s work. Adding value to biomass and utilizing production side streams and by-products contribute to circular, resource smart economy, where less is more. With our well-equipped research and development facilities, also small-scale businesses can make use of top research and technology without big investments.

From wood products and useful compounds extracted from trees to new aquaculture innovations and health products, Luke’s offering for industry partners spans all our research programmes. Bark, for example, is a real treasure chest of useful materials. Using its anti-microbial and anti-oxidant compounds wisely with innovative treatment techniques multiplies the value of biomass thousand-fold or more. Together with our partners, we explore novel methods to enhance the utilization of polyphenols, ingredients, and other useful compounds of tree and bark.

Innovative food and feed products are a growing category in Luke’s R&D offering. In our modern pilot hall we test and develop new products and production processes. Our in-depth expertise in raw materials, competence in multiple industries, and long-term research supports innovation of new products for both people and animals, as well as novel technologies and improved processes. Concrete results of the work include, for example, Benella rainbow trout, which is a result of optimized plant-based feeding; and a health product for dogs.

At the core of our R&D work is sustainable use of raw material. We help our customers develop products that help increase both people’s and nature’s wellbeing.

When there are not enough resources for the rapidly growing population, reusing them is a must. From valorization of forest industry’s side streams to recycling nutrients of food production, Luke promotes circular economy in all its research programmes.

Valorisation of biomass from various side-streams including wood and food processing for high value products is at the core of Luke’s circular solutions. Based on our core competences in extraction and fractionation, microbiological processing; anaerobic digestion and biogas processes; enzymatic bioprocessing; slow pyrolysis; and, we offer a  wide range of services. These include, for example, environmentally sound refining; fractionation; extraction and processing technologies to multiply the value of the raw material. Such technologies help use the raw material in a resource efficient and feasible way. We aim to combine biomass from various sources into new products to replace those depending on fossil raw materials.

For food industries in particular, optimisation of nutrient cycles and recovery as part of the entire valorisation chain plays an essential role as well. Furthermore, farm-scale nutrient balance is essential for sustainable food production. However, it requires precise data on manure quantity and characteristics. Together with leading European research institutes and universities, Luke works to enhance European manure management.

Besides agriculture, recycling nutrients is important in a bigger picture, too. Luke explores innovative ways to reuse nutrients in, for example, ash from the side streams of energy production. Another circular solution with a nutrient cycle could be a concept of “blue pulp mill” – a combination of a pulp mill and an aquaculture facility. Or we could even produce suitable biomaterials to be used in bioplastic production, based on utilization of anaerobic digestion process to produce volatile fatty acids.